We are arriving at LHR from Scotland approximately 3:30 in the afternoon July 26 and staying one night before we fly back to Texas the next morning at 9:00 am. We'd like to stroll through Windsor and go to dinner since we arrive to late to tour the castle. I'm trying to decide on whether to spend the night in Windsor then hire a taxi service to get us to the airport by 7:00 am or justgo back to an airport hotel for convenience sake after dinner and use a free airport shuttle. I've already contacted Windsor car service for the price of picking us up at LHR, taking us to Windsor then back to an airport hotel. I'm fine with the price. But, any opinions as to where to stay? We need two rooms. Not looking for cheapest offer, but convenient, and priced decently. Ok with someplace closer to Windsor then drive to airport or place on airport with free shuttle to terminal. Any thoughts? The men in our lives prefer convenience to cheap.
Posted by
36 posts
We stayed at the Premier Inn near Heathrow, left our bags at the hotel and went to Windsor during the day. We didn't fly out until the evening so we had plenty of time, and the castle was open. We had lunch at an old pub across the street from the castle. As long as it's not raining is a nice little town!
There is a bus to the airport, not free, though. If I were you i wouldn't stay in Windsor as you need to be closer to the airport, and leave at the latest by 0630.
Posted by
8331 posts
If the Castle is still open, I suggest staying near the airport and taking a taxi to Windsor. However, if the Castle is closed, I doubt if it would be worth two expensive taxi rides just to see the outside of the castle.
We stayed at the Airport Sheraton, which is very near the airport. A shuttle stops there frequently. The fare was very reasonable. The hotel is a bit older, but still maintained. I think we paid about 89o pounds for a room.
Posted by
Troy, Oh, USA
2805 posts
The Ye Harte & Garter Hotel on High Street is right across the street from the Castle, The Castle Hotel 18 High Street, is across the street a block down from the castle, and the Travelodge Windsor Central which is across from the castle down the road that runs beside Ye Harte & Garter Hotel. There are several great pubs in Windsor. If you are standing in front of the castle facing the hotel, turn to your left follow the road and you will get to Windsor Great Park go thru the black gates and walk towards your right up to the fence/gate you will have a great view of the private residence of the royal family. The Long Walk (the road that runs thru the Park up to the gate, is the private Road for the royal family to use to enter and leave Windsor Castle. If you stand in front Ye Harte & Garter Hotel, turn to your left walk down to the sidewalk, at the second street turn left, you will walk over the bridge and you will be in Eton, which is where Eton College is (it's not a college, it's a middle/high school) it's an all boy school. Royals and the aristocrats send their sons.
Posted by
OP
midland, tx, usa
78 posts
We already know the last tour of the castle starts at 4:00 and we don't arrive LHR until 3:30 so castle tour is out. Windsor cars is charging 16 gbp each way from hotel to Windsor which we are fine with since there are 4 of us. They are charging a bit more for the service of picking us up at airport, taking us to hotel to drop bags and take us to Windsor then bring us back to hotel after dinner. So, I'm really just trying to figure out if we want to stay night in Windsor or by airport.
Posted by
Carmel, CA, USA
2456 posts
Cathy, I would plan to be at Heathrow considerably before 7:00 am for a 9:00 am flight, even if you already have your boarding pass in hand. I found Heathrow to be HUGE, lots of walking. I remember digital signs overhead saying "40 minutes walking to Terminal XX", then later "30 minutes walking..." You need to be at the gate some minutes before departure time, etc. plus that's a busy departure time, and you can encounter lines at security, etc.
Posted by
OP
midland, tx, usa
78 posts
Yes. Good point. I'd rather hang out early in the airport than be scrambling and frustrated about being late. Did anyone say," admirals club" ? I'm a member. I'll probably be hanging there.